How to get rid of pests without being cruel
So maybe your home is older, and the mice were there before you. Or maybe you just moved into an apartment in the city, and there are roaches. You can’t see them, but oh, you know they are there. There are natural ways to keep pests out of your living space, without having to kill them yourself or lay down toxic chemicals. If you are ethically opposed to killing pests, these techniques are the perfect way to keep them out of your space, without the cruelty.
Some pros to keep in mind:
Friendly pest control is a great idea because:
1. Chemical traps and poisons ATTRACT the pests before killing them, meaning that you are only drawing them into your home. Why not keep them away by making them NOT want to come in the first place instead of tricking them?
2. This method is kind to your household surfaces.
3. It won’t hurt babies and pets like chemical traps and poisons can.
4. It’s inexpensive
5. It’s effective and cruelty-free
Okay, here’s what you need to do:
Plug the corners
Little critters are able to literally “crawl out of the woodwork” if there are little openings in the corners of walls. Instead of taking a foam gun to the area or spreading poison, try a cotton ball dipped in peppermint essential oil. Mice and roaches HATE peppermint, and it will deter them from taking their regular commute to the kitchen if they are met with the strong smell. You can also use tea tree essential oil instead of peppermint, or even blend the two for a powerful deterrent.
Treat your surfaces
If you know which room your little friends are hanging out in, you should treat the surfaces with essential oil blends to deter them from coming back. Use a mixture of tea tree, lemon and vinegar to wipe down surfaces before going to bed. Try wiping down the perimeter of the room with a rag soaked in vinegar and peppermint, coating the floor with a layer of protection. If a critter should be able to gain entry to the room, they will immediately find themselves standing on a very minty floor, and they will run back the other way.
Make your own spray
Make your own DIY pest control spray for quick treatment of surfaces! Combine in a spray bottle:
- ~30 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 cup white vinegar (avoid apple cider vinegar, it won’t be as deterrent as white)
- ~15 drops tea tree essential oil
Shake the mixture well before using. Spray down any areas where you think pests are getting in, and the strong scent of the vinegar combined with the essential oils will have them running for the hills.
Cover everything
To keep temptation out of the mix, be sure to cover all the food in the house! Mice and roaches love little crumbs, and they love a whole loaf of bread left overnight even better. Invest in a bread cloche, or try freezing bread (bread is a big issue when it comes to pest control because it is so crumby and easy for them to pick apart). Ensure kitchen surfaces are clean and clear of crumbs and food scraps. Check the floor, too! Avoid keeping food in other rooms besides the kitchen to ensure they don’t go exploring, and find exactly what they’re looking for.
Do you have little house guests that are overstaying their welcome? Tell me about how you’re keeping them at bay the natural way in the comments!
